Tesla Model 3 Home Charging: Complete UK Guide (2026)
Tesla Model 3 Battery and Charging Specs
The Tesla Model 3 is the UK's best-selling electric car, and one of the first things new owners want to know is how home charging works in practice. Here's what you need to know about each Model 3 variant available in the UK.
Model 3 Variants (2026)
| Variant | Battery Capacity | Max AC Charging | Max DC Charging | WLTP Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range (RWD) | 60 kWh | 7.4 kW (single-phase) | 170 kW | 272 miles |
| Long Range (AWD) | 75 kWh | 11 kW (three-phase) | 250 kW | 391 miles |
| Performance (AWD) | 75 kWh | 11 kW (three-phase) | 250 kW | 365 miles |
Key detail for home charging: The Standard Range model maxes out at 7.4 kW on AC — which is the maximum a UK single-phase home supply delivers anyway. The Long Range and Performance models can accept 11 kW on three-phase, but since 95% of UK homes are single-phase, most Model 3 owners will charge at 7 kW regardless of variant.
How Long Does It Take to Charge a Model 3 at Home?
This is the question everyone asks. Here are the real-world charge times for each variant at different power levels:
Charge Times: 20% to 80% (Daily Driving Sweet Spot)
| Variant | 3 kW (3-pin plug) | 7 kW (home charger) | 11 kW (three-phase) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range (60 kWh) | ~12 hours | ~5 hours | 5 hours* |
| Long Range (75 kWh) | ~15 hours | ~6.5 hours | ~4 hours |
| Performance (75 kWh) | ~15 hours | ~6.5 hours | ~4 hours |
**Standard Range is limited to 7.4 kW AC, so a three-phase supply provides no speed benefit for this variant.*
Charge Times: 0% to 100% (Full Charge)
| Variant | 3 kW (3-pin plug) | 7 kW (home charger) | 11 kW (three-phase) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range (60 kWh) | ~20 hours | ~8.5 hours | 8.5 hours* |
| Long Range (75 kWh) | ~25 hours | ~10.5 hours | ~7 hours |
| Performance (75 kWh) | ~25 hours | ~10.5 hours | ~7 hours |
The practical takeaway: With a 7 kW home charger, plug in at 10pm and wake up to a full battery. For daily commuting (30–50 miles), you only need 1–2 hours of charging per night.
What Does It Cost to Charge a Model 3 at Home?
Charging costs depend almost entirely on your electricity tariff. Here's what each Model 3 variant costs to charge from 20% to 80%:
Cost per Charge (20% to 80%)
| Variant | Off-Peak (~7p/kWh) | Standard (~28p/kWh) | Supercharger (~40p/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range (36 kWh) | £2.52 | £10.08 | £14.40 |
| Long Range (45 kWh) | £3.15 | £12.60 | £18.00 |
| Performance (45 kWh) | £3.15 | £12.60 | £18.00 |
Cost per Full Charge (0% to 100%)
| Variant | Off-Peak (~7p/kWh) | Standard (~28p/kWh) | Supercharger (~40p/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range (60 kWh) | £4.20 | £16.80 | £24.00 |
| Long Range (75 kWh) | £5.25 | £21.00 | £30.00 |
| Performance (75 kWh) | £5.25 | £21.00 | £30.00 |
Annual Charging Cost (10,000 Miles)
| Tariff | Cost per Mile | Annual Cost | vs Petrol Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-peak (7p/kWh) | ~1.8p | £175 | £1,425 |
| Standard (28p/kWh) | ~7p | £700 | £900 |
| Supercharger (40p/kWh) | ~10p | £1,000 | £600 |
| Petrol equivalent | ~16p | £1,600 | — |
*Based on Model 3 efficiency of ~3.9 miles per kWh (real-world UK average including winter).*
Switching to an off-peak EV tariff is the single most effective way to cut your Model 3 running costs. The difference between standard and off-peak rates is worth £525 per year for a typical driver.
Best Home Chargers for Tesla Model 3
Every charger on our comparison page works perfectly with the Model 3. But some are better suited than others depending on your priorities:
Best Overall: Tesla Wall Connector (£475)
The Tesla Wall Connector is the natural choice for Model 3 owners. It integrates directly with the Tesla app — charging status, history, scheduling, and energy usage all live alongside your car's controls. No separate app needed.
At £475, it's also one of the most affordable chargers available. The 4-year warranty is the longest on the market, and the 7.3m cable is generous enough for most driveway setups.
Why it's best for Model 3: Seamless Tesla app integration, competitive pricing, longest warranty, and if you ever get a second Tesla, up to 6 Wall Connectors can power-share on a single circuit.
Full Tesla Wall Connector review →
Best for Saving Money: Ohme Home Pro (£535)
The Ohme Home Pro connects directly to smart energy tariffs and automatically charges your Model 3 at the cheapest rates. If you're on Octopus Intelligent Go, the Ohme maximises your off-peak charging without any manual scheduling.
The Ohme's app shows exactly what each charge session cost — down to the penny. Over a year, the smart tariff optimisation can save £50–100 more than manual scheduling with the Tesla app.
Why it's great for Model 3: Automated cheapest-rate charging, per-session cost tracking, and solar diverting built in if you have panels.
Full Ohme Home Pro review → | Tesla vs Ohme comparison →
Best for Solar Owners: Zappi GLO (£779)
If you have solar panels and want to charge your Model 3 from free sunlight, the Zappi GLO is the gold standard. Its Eco+ mode charges exclusively from solar surplus — your car only charges when the panels are generating more than your house needs.
Why it's great for Model 3: The Standard Range Model 3 has a 60 kWh battery, which a 4 kW solar array can realistically fill from surplus generation during long summer days. In winter, switch to Eco mode (solar + grid top-up) to stay topped up.
Full Zappi GLO review → | Solar charging guide →
Best Budget Option: Easee One (£405)
The Easee One is the cheapest charger on our site at £405. It's compact, reliable, and has built-in 4G for connectivity even if your Wi-Fi doesn't reach the driveway. For Model 3 owners who want a simple, affordable home charger without extra bells and whistles, it's hard to beat.
Why it's great for Model 3: Lowest upfront cost, especially combined with the OZEV grant if you're eligible (renters and flat owners can get £350 off).
Tesla Model 3 Battery Health Tips
Your Model 3's battery will last well over a decade with proper care. Tesla's battery warranty covers 8 years or 100,000 miles (120,000 miles for Long Range and Performance), guaranteeing at least 70% capacity retention. Here's how to keep your battery in the best possible shape:
1. Charge to 80% for Daily Driving
Set your daily charge limit to 80% in the Tesla app. Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when held at very high or very low states of charge. Tesla's own guidance recommends 80% for daily use.
When to charge to 100%: Only before a long trip where you need the extra range. Don't leave the car sitting at 100% for extended periods.
2. Avoid Frequent 0% to 100% Cycles
Charging from 0% to 100% puts more stress on the battery than partial charges. The sweet spot is keeping your Model 3 between 20% and 80% — this covers 60% of the battery's capacity, which is 160–230 miles depending on variant. More than enough for daily driving.
3. Use Home Charging Over Supercharging When Possible
DC fast charging (Supercharging) generates more heat in the battery than AC home charging. Occasional Supercharging is absolutely fine — Tesla designed the car for it — but relying on it exclusively will cause marginally faster degradation than home charging.
A good rule of thumb: 80% home charging, 20% Supercharging is a healthy balance.
4. Don't Leave the Car Sitting at Low Battery
If you're going on holiday or not using the car for a while, leave it at 50–60% charge. Batteries don't like sitting at extremes for extended periods. The Tesla app will warn you if the battery drops below 20% while parked.
5. Precondition Before Fast Charging
When navigating to a Supercharger, the Tesla automatically preconditions (warms up) the battery for optimal charging speed. This also reduces stress on the cells. If you're heading to a Supercharger without the nav, tap the Supercharger on the map to trigger preconditioning manually.
6. Park in the Shade When Possible
Extreme heat accelerates battery degradation. The UK climate is generally kind to EV batteries (we don't see the 40°C+ temperatures that cause issues in the US Southwest), but parking in shade during summer heatwaves is a simple precaution.
Common Questions
Can I Charge a Model 3 from a Normal Plug Socket?
Yes. Tesla includes a Mobile Connector that plugs into a standard 3-pin socket and charges at ~2.3 kW (about 8 miles of range per hour). It's painfully slow — a full charge takes 20+ hours — but it works as an emergency backup. For daily use, a dedicated 7 kW charger is strongly recommended.
Is 7 kW Fast Enough for a Model 3?
Absolutely. At 7 kW, you add roughly 25 miles of range per hour. An overnight charge of 8–10 hours gives you 200–250 miles — more than enough for the vast majority of daily driving. The only scenario where 7 kW isn't enough is if you drive 200+ miles per day and need to fully recharge in a few hours.
Do I Need a Special Charger for a Tesla?
No. Every Tesla sold in the UK uses a standard Type 2 connector. Any home charger with a Type 2 plug works perfectly — read more about Tesla vs third-party chargers.
Should I Get a Three-Phase Charger?
For most Model 3 owners, no. The Standard Range Model 3 can only accept 7.4 kW on AC, so three-phase provides zero benefit. The Long Range and Performance models can use 11 kW on three-phase, but 95% of UK homes are single-phase and the cost of upgrading isn't justified by the small speed increase.
Getting Started
- Switch to a smart energy tariff — this saves you money immediately, even before you install a charger
- Choose a charger that fits your priorities — compare all options here
- Get installation quotes from certified installers — we can match you with 3 local installers
- Read our installation guide so you know exactly what to expect
Home charging transforms the Model 3 ownership experience. No more petrol stations, no more Supercharger queues — just plug in when you get home and wake up to a full battery every morning.
Ready to Get a Home Charger?
Compare chargers side by side, or get free installation quotes from certified UK electricians.